Another Way Out

The cold moon and bitter frost did nothing to quell the fury in Han Xian's heart.

He had been focused on alchemy and had not seen Xiao Yan's pill refinement process, so he simply refused to believe Xiao Yan could refine a Beast-Strength Pill.

Moreover, he had already held a prejudice against Xiao Yan, and that prejudice was now growing deeper and deeper.

Although he had gained a Fourth-Rank pill formula for nothing from this contest, Han Xian's eyes were red and bloodshot, like a gambler who had lost his entire fortune.

"Fake! Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

At first, Han Xian believed Xiao Yan had cheated and that the Beast-Strength Pill had not been refined by him at all. Later, when he found it difficult to explain, his thoughts veered further and further astray, until he firmly decided that the academy had colluded with Xiao Yan to commit fraud.

A Five-Star Great Dou Master at barely twelve years old was possible if one swallowed a great number of pills without caring about the quality of one's Dou Qi. But a Fourth-Rank Alchemist at barely twelve years old had no shortcuts to take. It was absolutely impossible.

Han Xian had originally found it strange that the academy would accept such a monstrous genius. But if he considered the possibility that the academy itself was faking it, everything made sense.

The academy's purpose in doing so was nothing more than to boost its own reputation and recruit more students, especially students with alchemist potential.

An alchemist's status was noble. Even First- and Second-Grade Alchemists could live exceedingly well and often stood a cut above others. Thus, not many young alchemists were willing to come to Canaan Academy in the Black-Corner Region to study.

After all, the Black-Corner Region was an extremely chaotic place, where an ordinary alchemist's noble aura was of no use.

Other than the bold and fearless, most of the alchemists Canaan Academy recruited were people discovered among ordinary students to possess alchemist talent, then trained. For so many years, it had remained neither hot nor cold.

But if a super alchemy genius appeared, things would be different. Some young alchemists, unwilling to accept it, might very well come to Canaan Academy to verify it and prove themselves stronger. Others might mistakenly believe that Canaan Academy possessed exceptionally high standards of alchemy instruction.

"Even the Pill Tower might not be able to accomplish such a thing, yet you dare boast about it? Iron must be hard before it can be forged. Falsification will only ruin you!" The more Han Xian thought about it, the angrier he became, smashing the room until it rang with clatters and crashes, leaving a complete mess across the floor.

With thoughts like those, losing the contest became a secondary matter.

What Han Xian was dissatisfied with was this: since the academy was committing fraud, why had it not used him as its promotional figure? At the very least, he possessed some real talent.

"What? Failed at refining pills again?" Just as Han Xian was seething with rage, someone pushed open the door and entered.

Seeing the somewhat rustic-looking young man at the doorway, Han Xian stopped what he was doing in surprise. "Big Brother Han Beng? Weren't you cultivating in the Inner Academy?"

This Big Brother Han Beng was somewhat older than him. Because he had given Han Xian precious medicinal ingredients and rare alchemy data for free several times, Han Xian had developed a great fondness for him. Since they also shared the surname Han, they had become sworn brothers.

"I have some business outside the academy. Before leaving, I came to see you." Han Beng offered an explanation, then comforted him. "Alchemy failures are common. Just keep working hard next time."

"It has nothing to do with failing at alchemy." Filled with grievances, Han Xian immediately poured out all his bitterness upon seeing his big brother Han Beng.

He did not mention his own lack of ability. Instead, he described his speculation that the academy had committed fraud with such vivid detail that it sounded as though it were true.

"A Five-Star Great Dou Master at barely twelve years old, and a Fourth-Rank Alchemist." A sharp glint flashed through Han Beng's eyes before he nodded with great certainty. "That does sound extremely fake."

Han Xian said resentfully, "I'm also a Four-Star Great Dou Master, and I've already become a Third-Grade Alchemist. Why doesn't the academy use me as its promotional figure? Once my abilities improve in the future, it won't be easy for others to expose the lie."

Han Beng smiled. "Second Brother, I know you're upset, but with your abilities, why would you need to falsify anything? Once that Xiao Yan enters the Inner Academy, Big Brother will teach him a proper lesson for you."

"Big Brother, I know how strong you are." Han Xian shook his head and said viciously, "But if I can't personally make Xiao Yan kneel at my feet and beg for mercy, then even if he's chopped into eight pieces, it will mean nothing."

Han Beng fell silent for a while, then smiled. "So that's how it is. Since you want to personally vent the resentment in your heart, then do it yourself."

Han Xian said somewhat awkwardly, "Big Brother, you know that all my energy has gone into alchemy. My strength has mostly been raised through pills, and I'm far weaker than Great Dou Masters of the same level. Xiao Yan is a star above me, and I heard he has mastered a powerful Dou Technique as well. I'm afraid..."

"That isn't difficult." Han Beng smiled as he analyzed the situation. "According to you, Xiao Yan also relies on pills to raise his strength, and he advances very quickly. He has probably taken even more medicine than you. It's too late for you to practice an advanced Dou Technique now, but if you surpass him in level, then naturally he will no longer be your match."

Han Xian thought to himself that breaking through two stars in a short time was no easier than learning an advanced Dou Technique.

After saying that, Han Beng brushed his Storage Ring, and an exquisite jade box appeared in his hand. When the lid opened, two pills lay quietly within.

Seeing the pills, Han Beng, as an alchemist, immediately recognized them and cried out, "Purpleheart Barrier-Breaking Pills, and there are two of them!"

Han Beng smiled. "I remember you've never taken this pill before. With these two pills to help you, you'll be able to surpass that Xiao Yan."

"Alright, alright." Han Xian took the jade box, somewhat puzzled. "These Purpleheart Barrier-Breaking Pills are peak Fourth-Rank pills. Since they can help a Great Dou Master raise two stars at most, they're extremely precious. How did you get them, Big Brother?"

Han Beng said, "As long as you follow the right person, what do two Purpleheart Barrier-Breaking Pills amount to? Since the academy looks down on you, you should find another way out. Then slap Canaan Academy's face to pieces and let them know who the true alchemy genius is!"

Han Xian's heart burned with excitement, as though he could already see himself, after becoming a high-grade alchemist, grinding Old Man Huo and Canaan Academy's higher-ups beneath his feet.

"Big Brother, what path have you found? We brothers share blessings and hardships alike. Naturally, I'll follow you," Han Xian asked.

"When the time comes, I'll tell you. There are quite a few forces on the Dou Qi Continent stronger than Canaan Academy." Han Beng patted Han Xian's shoulder. "You're also participating in the Inner Academy Selection Tournament, so quickly take these two Purpleheart Barrier-Breaking Pills and cultivate. Though the chances of you encountering Xiao Yan are small, it is better to be prepared."

Hearing that, Han Xian immediately felt it made sense. If Xiao Yan were to instantly defeat him on the arena as well, the resentment in his heart would grow even greater—enough to anger him to death, perhaps.

But as long as he took the Purpleheart Barrier-Breaking Pills and raised his strength to a Six-Star Great Dou Master, then with the Pill Fire Technique he had learned, if he encountered Xiao Yan on the arena, he would immediately trample him beneath his feet.